Fact: "The typical American household generates 55,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually. The average German household contributes only 27,000 pounds and the Swedish household only 15,000 pounds."--David Gershon

Make a Difference

CAB has several major efforts underway and information on ways you can cut your individual carbon footprint to make a difference here in Brookline. Read about it by selecting the "How to Cut Carbon" menu or by clicking on one of the options to the right.

What YOU can do right away!

There are many things around the house you can start doing today, and some are quite simple. Many of our daily activities add up, and increase not only our energy bills, but also our overall carbon footprints.

Little things when taken together can make big changes in your impact on the environment. Use these tips to get started, then read through the different links on the right side-bar, "Cutting Carbon 101."

There are many, many things we ALL can do, and accomplish in our daily lives, and they do make a difference.

Install low-flow shower heads to use less hot water. Take shorter showers.

Outside the home...

Drive more slowly. There is at least a 20% loss in fuel economy as speed in creased from 55 to 75 mph. Keep your tires fully inflated.

Combine automobile trips for shopping and errands. Do not let engine idle. Bike, carpool and use MBTA when possible.

Eat low on the food chain. It takes nearly 10 times as much fossil fuel to produce animal protein compared to plant protein such as beans and grains.

Buy local produce rather than items trucked in from afar and bring home in reusable bags.

Use a bike or the T to get around.

In the summer, shop at farmers’ markets - Brookline's is on Centre Street. In the winter, the farmers' market moves indoors to the Arcade Building on Harvard Street. The closer the farms, the less fuel it took to get to you.

Buy non-petroleum based laundry products. A good clue is if the box says “biodegradable”.

Wash clothes in cold water. They will get clean – honest.

Get non-petroleum based hair products and cosmetics. Go to the Environmental Working Group’s website (ewg.org) and get a list of recommended products. If the box says “100% organic”, that’s also good to go.

Cancel all of your catalogs. See the merchandise you want to order online.

Have your bank statements and brokerage account materials sent to you by email.

Vote your proxy statements by email.

I'm a renter. I can't insulate or change the furnace. Is there anything I can do? Absolutely!!

If you pay for your electricity, you can sign up for electricity from wind. This can reduce your carbon footprint by as much as 25%.

Get plastic inside window kits. They will pay for themselves in a year.

Get your landlord to put down batting in the attic and seal up obvious leaks.

Cutting Carbon 101

Climate change is everyone’s business. Some people are just getting started, while others are on their way to mastering home energy efficiency. Some steps you can take: